Free Web NovelChapter 478: Chapter 98: Houtu Pays a Heavy Price: The Emperor Earth Deity Position and the Innate Infinite Blood Sea
"Lady, what is this?"
Lu Xuan looked at the expanse of the Infinite Sea in Emperor Earth Deity’s hand, a flicker of trepidation in his eyes.
This sea was exceedingly vicious. It was restless even in Emperor Earth Deity’s grasp, occasionally stirring up massive waves accompanied by the sounds of wailing gods, crying immortals, and sighing Buddhas.
Merely gazing upon it gave Lu Xuan the chilling illusion that his body and soul were freezing over.
Furthermore, that Infinite Sea was filled with Innate Dao Rhyme and Innate Material, so dense it was terrifying!
He silently activated his Form Acupoint again, incorporating the spirit of this Infinite Sea into his own Spiritual Will, making it one of his manifested divine intents.
A look of wistful sentiment appeared on Emperor Earth Deity’s face as if reminiscing. She said:
"This was formed from an Innate Divine Demon from The Beginning of Ancient Times. He once ruled the entire Nine Nether and was known as the strongest below the Dao Fruit. Within the Nine Nether, he could even fight against an Ancient One who possessed half a Dao Fruit."
After a pause, she chuckled lightly.
"Later, after my true self mastered the Six Paths of Reincarnation and became the ruler of the Nine Nether, it took considerable effort to suppress and kill him. His remains transformed into this Innate Infinite Blood Sea, a place of cataclysmic malevolence."
Lu Xuan’s eyes lit up slightly as he listened.
Emperor Earth Deity continued.
"I see you are also an Innate Divine Demon. You must have encountered some accident during The Beginning of Ancient Times, causing your birth to be suspended until you were finally born in this era and taken in by Fellow Daoist Shangqing as his Direct Lineage disciple, correct?"
Lu Xuan nodded decisively, praising her.
"Your foresight is impeccable, Lady!"
Emperor Earth Deity nodded.
"Your Dao has not yet been nurtured to completion, and you are about to face life-and-death struggles. I will gift this Infinite Blood Sea to you. It can merge with your body and become one of your Divine Techniques."
"In motion, it holds the power to shatter heavens and split the earth. In stillness, it can drown immortals and submerge Buddhas, slaughtering without limit... The more lives this sea consumes, the stronger it will become. If you have sufficient fortune, it is not impossible that you could one day use this sea to attain the Dao Fruit."
With that, Emperor Earth Deity extended her hand, and the Innate Infinite Blood Sea in her palm floated toward Lu Xuan, sinking into his body.
Lu Xuan let out a muffled groan. His body was violently shaken from top to bottom. In the span of a single cycle of birth and death, his Innate Physique was nearly shattered by the impact of the Infinite Blood Sea!
"Hold your breath and focus your spirit." Emperor Earth Deity’s expression was solemn. "Guard your true foundation!"
Her palm brushed over the top of Lu Xuan’s head, and a heavy earthly power poured into his body, helping him merge with the Infinite Blood Sea, bit by bit!
At the same time, under the surging waves of the earthly power and the Infinite Blood Sea, Lu Xuan’s Physique slowly grew stronger. The Blood Sea, formed from an Innate Divine Demon, erupted with boundless Innate Material.
Washed by this Innate Material, the Acupoint Grotto Heavens all over his body began to return to their Innate state!
An unknown amount of time passed.
When Lu Xuan had completely merged the Innate Infinite Blood Sea with himself, Emperor Earth Deity let out a faint breath.
Lu Xuan slowly opened his eyes. A monstrous killing intent erupted, and a terrifying blood sea churned within his pupils, shaking the entire Nine Nether!
He stretched his limbs, and with a clap of explosive thunder, Eleven Directions Innate Great Realm and three hundred fifty-four Innate Blessed Lands rose and fell around him.
Following this was the sound of colossal waves carrying a scorching killing intent!
As the great tide of killing intent swept out, the distant Underworld teetered on the verge of collapse. Countless Yin Cha Ghosts and Gods trembled, their souls frozen with cold!
"What is... this...?" In Fengdu City, Emperor Fengdu looked up in terror.
As a Daluo, even he felt a chill run down his spine under such killing intent!
"The Innate Infinite Blood Sea..." Emperor Fengdu’s expression grew incredibly grim, the shock in his eyes intensifying as he drew a sharp, cold breath.
’That thing has actually reappeared? Could it be that fiend is about to return from annihilation?’
Just as the entire Nine Nether was trembling.
Lu Xuan restrained the vigorous, immense power within his Physique and looked at Emperor Earth Deity, slightly startled.
Although Emperor Earth Deity was just an incarnation of Houtu, she was still on the level of an Ancient One. Yet at this moment, she actually showed signs of exhaustion!
’Does it take so much effort to merge the Innate Infinite Blood Sea with me?’
’And... does the Lady seem to be pained by the loss?’
Lu Xuan’s heart stirred. ’The value of this Infinite Sea is far greater than I ever imagined...’
As he was thinking, Emperor Earth Deity shook her head slightly, her eyelids drooping with fatigue. She then said:
"Alright... child, you must not underestimate this Innate Infinite Blood Sea. Back then, that Innate Divine Demon commanded the Nine Nether, cutting down Daluo like slaughtering chickens and dogs, and could even contend with an Ancient One for a short while."
"If he hadn’t gone down the wrong path, he might have attained the Dao Fruit even before I did. When it comes to Slaughter, he was the First; he was the very manifestation of the Killing Dao..."
As she spoke, her tone shifted, and she continued.
"The wonders of the Innate Infinite Blood Sea are for you to comprehend on your own. For now, look at these. Perhaps they will serve as a warning to you."
As her voice fell, Emperor Earth Deity waved her hand. The River of Time manifested, revealing one great scene after another.
Lu Xuan silently watched scene after scene. Suddenly, he slammed his hand on the table and shot up, the surging sound of the Infinite Sea churning within his Physique.
He roared in fury:
"Supreme Profound Clarity, how dare you deceive me to this extent!"
The Nine Nether shook. Emperor Earth Deity chuckled lightly and placated him.
"After all, with the events of the Late Shang Dynasty, it’s understandable for him to be cautious. I just didn’t expect that Profound Clarity would directly treat you as an enemy..."
Lu Xuan spoke with resentment.
"He knocked Biyou Palace down into the Nine Nether and drove a wedge between me and Zheng’Er! Since he sees me as an enemy, I will kill him! Kill him! KILL HIM!"
He spoke word by word, the sound of the ocean tide in his body growing louder, even carrying the cries of immortals and sighs of Buddhas, reflecting terrifying scenes of Great Realms collapsing and all life being extinguished!
A smile appeared in Emperor Earth Deity’s eyes, yet she furrowed her brow slightly.
"Supreme Profound Clarity is, after all, your First Martial Uncle’s Direct Lineage disciple. You both belong to the same lineage. Why must you be like this?"
"Same lineage..." Lu Xuan’s eyes were cold. "When Supreme Profound Clarity was plotting against me like this, did he consider me part of the same lineage? If not for you, Lady, I’m afraid I would still be completely in the dark!"
Saying this, Lu Xuan paced back and forth anxiously, muttering ceaselessly.
"Supreme Profound Clarity... Supreme Profound Clarity..."
He gritted his teeth, turned to Emperor Earth Deity, and bowed formally.
"I implore you for your help, Lady!"
"This..." A look of difficulty appeared on Emperor Earth Deity’s face.
Lu Xuan bowed again.
"I beg for your help, Lady!"
After a long moment of contemplation, Emperor Earth Deity finally sighed.
"So be it. I see you as a junior. With you in trouble, it’s only right that I help you. Even if your First Martial Uncle tries to kill me afterward, I will accept it."
"Lady, rest assured!" Lu Xuan said seriously. "This all started because of me. After I kill that Supreme Profound Clarity, if my First Martial Uncle comes looking for trouble, I will ask my Master to intervene!"
"You child!"
Emperor Earth Deity chided him gently, feigning compromise, and asked in a low voice:
"What do you plan to do? How do you want me to help?"
Lu Xuan’s eyes were dark.
"That Supreme Profound Clarity sowed discord. I’m afraid Zheng’Er may not help me again, and all the people of the world revere that so-called Saint Lu..."
After some thought, he said:
"Lady, is there a way to let the myriad immortals of Biyou Palace walk freely in the outside world?"
"It’s difficult."
Emperor Earth Deity shook her head.
"They died long ago, surviving until now only under the protection of their immortal offices. Now that they’ve lost those offices, they can only cling to a fragile existence within Biyou Palace..."
Her tone shifted.
"I can send them into Reincarnation to return after their trials, but even with special treatment, it would likely take thousands, if not tens of thousands of years. It’s too slow for the current situation."
"Then what should I do?" Lu Xuan feigned a worried expression and said hatefully, "Supreme Profound Clarity..."
"How about this."
Emperor Earth Deity said suddenly.
"I will pass the position of Emperor Earth Deity to you."
"Lady, you can’t!" Lu Xuan’s face paled in shock, and he waved his hands frantically. "This is your Innate seat of honor! How could I possibly accept it? Besides, if I do, this incarnation of yours..."
"It’s no matter." ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com
Emperor Earth Deity said softly.
"This celestial position is no longer of use to me. Though losing it will destroy this True Self Incarnation, if it can help you, then it is worth it."
"I can’t." Lu Xuan refused righteously. "I wish to visit you often, Lady. But if you pass this position to me, you will dissipate into the heavens and earth. What would I do then? It’s unacceptable, truly unacceptable..."
Emperor Earth Deity smiled and waved her hand.
"Unfortunately, I do not know the technique of One Qi Transforms into the Three Pristine Ones, so I can only rely on my Innate position to create a True Self Incarnation. But no matter, my true self will enter this realm."
After a pause, she continued with a smile.
"This way, I can also protect you better. If you are no match for that Supreme Profound Clarity, I can shield you."
"Lady..." Lu Xuan’s lips trembled as if he were deeply moved, but he still waved his hands. "I can’t possibly! I can’t!"
His current appearance was just like Wu Xiaoxu refusing a red envelope from an elder during New Year’s in the shantytown back then—pulling his pocket open with one hand while exclaiming, ’I couldn’t possibly, I couldn’t possibly’...
"Listen to me." Emperor Earth Deity gave no room for refusal, lightly pressing on her own head and plucking out an illusory, great position from within.
She sent the illusory position into Lu Xuan’s Physique and instructed him:
"I abandoned the duties of Emperor Earth Deity many years ago. Even if you accept this position, you won’t be able to use it right away, nor will you gain the recognition of heaven and earth."
"You will need to meet with five great Earth Deities, have them acknowledge you as their master, and perform a grand ceremony. Only then will you truly become the new Emperor Earth Deity!"
Lu Xuan first performed several deep bows out of gratitude, then asked with curiosity:
"Five great Earth Deities? Who are they?"
"They are the Earth Deities of the Five Directions Celestial Mountain: Emperor Dongyue of East Mount Tai, the Western Emperor of West Hua Mountain,
"the Southern Emperor of South Mount Heng, the Northern Emperor of North Mount Heng, and the Central Emperor of Central Mount Song."
The woman was now beginning to fade, her voice becoming ethereal.
"And be careful. The Five Mountains Emperor are all titans of the Celestial Realms, each governing the Earth Deities of their respective direction..."
As her words fell, having lost the position of Emperor Earth Deity as her anchor, the woman completely disintegrated, vanishing without a trace.
With tears welling in his eyes, Lu Xuan performed nine formal bows toward the spot where she had vanished. Only then did he sigh, cover his face, and depart.
「High above the Ages.」
Houtu gazed at the scene in the Nine Nether, nodded slightly, and a smile appeared on her face.
"It is done!"
Beside her, two Great Buddhas were watching with great interest as Supreme beat up Spirit Treasure. Hearing Houtu’s murmur, they both turned to look at her.
Amitabha Buddha smiled.
"Lady, is the grand design set?"
"It is set." Houtu also smiled. "That Profound Yellow now reveres me completely. As for Supreme Profound Clarity, if it’s not hatred to the bone, it’s close enough."
After a pause, she said lightly.
"I intend to enter this era with my true self. I must ask you two to conceal my presence. If Supreme were to notice, it would be a great deal of trouble."
"Enter the era with your true self?" Amitabha Buddha frowned. "Why go to such lengths? Your True Self Incarnation was already sufficient to move about."
"That incarnation is gone."
Houtu smiled.
"I passed the position of Emperor Earth Deity to Profound Yellow."
The expressions of the two Great Buddhas changed slightly. Ancient Bodhi Buddha sighed.
"The position of Emperor Earth Deity... Houtu, you’ve really staked a fortune on this..."
"That’s not all. I also gave the Innate Infinite Blood Sea to Profound Yellow." Houtu said calmly. "With this plan in place, Profound Clarity is certain to fall!"
The two Buddhas’ brows furrowed slightly. ’The Innate Infinite Blood Sea was also given away?’
’This Houtu... she is truly willing to part with her treasures...’
At this moment, Houtu gazed into the distance, watching the figure holding Douluo Palace and violently beating Shangqing. Her eyes were icy.
"Supreme must be forced from Non-action into Action, falling to the level of an ordinary Complete Dao Fruit. He can no longer be a Perfect Dao Fruit that is beyond the limits of imagination!"
She suddenly chuckled, then sighed softly.
"This matter... is settled!"
......
「The Origin.」
Lu Xuan said cheerfully to the Lame Daoist:
"The one who controls Reincarnation is about to enter the realm with her true self. I’m preparing to raise the curtain and begin the act of defying the heavens, the deed of pulling down a Dao Fruit."
After a pause, his eyes shone brightly.
"I’m not certain about defying the heavens, but as for pulling down a Dao Fruit, I am eighty percent confident..."
"This matter... is settled!"
(One more Chapter to come)
